Phonographic apparatus



May 26, 1936. c. HuENLlcH Y PHONOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Original Filed Dec.18, 1931 l INVENTOR Char/es #uen/ich BY Hls ATTORNEY -Patented May 2,6,1936 ,lfii'luEzN'rA OFFICE 2,042,228 HONOGRAPHIC APPARATUS CharlesHuenlich, Bloomiield, N. I., assignor to v'.l'homas A. Edison,Incorporated West Orange.

N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 18, 1931, SerialNo. 581,870

. Renewed April 4, 1935 l 'Ihis invention relates to phonographicyapparatus and more particularly'to phonographic apparatus arranged toprovide hcontinuous recording for as long a period as may be desired. f

The apparatus in accordance with this invention is particularly usefulin connection with the recording of lectures, sermons, speeches andsimilar material which requires a greater length of time for itsdelivery than is available on the ordinary phonograph record and forwhich it is terial while records are being changed.

It is an object of this invention to provide a system of the classdescribed which may utilize a plurality of recording phonographs of anydesired type, so arranged that each of the phonographs are set intooperation alternately as the other phonograph approaches the end of therecord thereon..

It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus of the'class described which may be easily and quickLv assembled merely by theaddition of a multiple contact switch and interconnecting wiring to eachof a pair of commercial dictating machines. l A

Itis a further object of this invention to provide apparatus of theclass described in which start-stop chatter is prevented in case onemachine reaches the end of its record while the other machine has notbeen provided with a fresh record. Y

Still other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent fromthe speciilcation.

The. features of novelty which I believe to be characteristic of myinvention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Myinvention itself, however, both as to its fundamental principles, and asto its particular embodiments, will best be understood by reference tothe speciilcation and accompanying drawing in which thesinglegureisawiringdiagramofasystemin accordance with my invention.

' Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the dotted rectanglesA and B indicate dia- 45, grammatically a pair of phonographs. Since itis apparent that my invention is not concerned with the particular typeof phonograph utilized but is applicable to any type not only forrecording but also for reproducing, the details of the phono- 50 graphapparatus are not shown.

The particular'l embodimenty of the system described comprises a pair ofphonographs 'such as the usual dictating machine utilizing cylindricalrecords over which the recorder and reproducer- 55 travel. In thearrangement herein shown, the

not possible to interrupt the delivery of the ma- Nos. I to t inclusive,contacts Il to I3 correspondsound box of phonograph A isdiagrammatically indicated bynumeral 'I and is arranged to travel acrossthe record upon the guide 8. The sound box carries a projection 9 o'rvis otherwise suitably arranged so that as it nears the end of its travelover -the record it engages the armA 3 of the multiple contact switchand moves it to the left. The multiple contact switch comprises contactarms I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 andis so arranged that contacts 3 and l arenormally closed against ea'ch other, as are contacts 5 and 6, whereascontacts I and 2 and 2 and 3 are separated from each other. Thephonograph B is similarly providedwith a multiple contact switchcomprising contact arms II, I2, I3, I4, I5 and I5 arranged similarly tothe l, corresponding contacts I-G. Contacts I5 and I6 and I3 and Il arelnormally closed whereas. contacts II and I2 and I2 and I3 are normallyopen. Contact arm I3 is arranged to be engaged by projection I9 carriedby sound box I1 in its travel 20 along the guide I3. Contacts 3 and land I3 andV Il are mechanically connected, as by an insulating block b,in the well known manner.

When the projection 3 engages contact arm 3 the -said arm is'moved tothe left to open the 25 contact between the contact members 3 and 4 andalso to open the contact between contact members 5 and 3. Thereaftercontact No. 3 closes the circuit between itself and contact No. 2 andupon further movement of the sound box to the left 30 contact No. 2 is.closedagainst contact No. I. The multiple contacts on phonograph B arearrangedtooperateinasimilarmannertocontacts ing respectively to I to 3.

Each of the phonographs may comprise a driving motor which ispreferably, although not n, electrical, and is arranged to be throwninto connection with the mandrel or turn table by means of the levers 23and 35 re- 40 spectively, which operate any suitable form of clutchmechanism, shown ditically. Alternatively, and in some instances,preferably.

only one motor is employed, as shown in the drawing and two drivingconnections are/utilized I to the two mandrels. as showndiagrammatically. For the purpose of controlling the operation of theclutch there may be provided stopping and .starting magnet coils 2l and2| cooperating withapairofarmatures andaswltch. This rmechanlsrxx maybeof the type shown in U. S.

-Patent No. 1,380,486 to S. G. Langley, patented June 7, 1921, to whichreference may be had for a more complete understanding of the details ofsuch In its essentials 'this mecha- 55 nism comprises a pair ofarmatures 24 and 25 pivoted at 24a and 24h respectively and anintermediate pivoted contact 21 pivoted at 21a and provided at its upperend with a surface adapted to be engaged by armatures 24 and 25respectively, the upper ends of which may be connected together with asuitable spring, whereby, when magnet 20 is energized the armature 24 isattracted and rotates counter-clockwise, carrying with it the armature25 which is caused to rotate in the same direction, and also rotatingcontact 21 counter-clockwise disengaging contact 21 from contact 22 andbringing it into engagement with contact 23.

The operation just described operates lever 2B and disengages thedriving motor from the mandrel, at the same V time preparing the circuitthrough coil 2| so that when coil 2| is energized later in a mannerwhich will be described, the reverse operation takes place and lever 26is thrown to the right to cause rotation of the mandrel. Theconstruction and operation of the clutch control or phonographB is thesame as that already described, the stop and start coils 30 and 3|respectively controlling the posit-ion of armatures 34 and 35 andcontact 31. In the position .shown contact 31 has been removed fromcontact 32 `and brought into engagement with contact 33, thusdeclutching the motor from the mandrel and preparing the start circuitfor energization.

Thus I provide for controlling the relative movement of sound box andmandrel in each phonograph a two-position member-e. g. clutchRf-responsive in position to the last energized of two associatedmagnets-e. g., starting Aand stopping magnets 3| and 30. These twomagnets in each one phonograph are included respectively in a pair ofdistinct circuits, which may be respectively termed starting andstopping circuits for that phonograph, and each is energized when itsrespective circuit -is closed. Momentary closing of either circuit (i.e., momentary energization of either magnet) is of course suilicient forresponse of the movement controlling member. The desirable limitation ofthe circuit closings (or magnet energizations) to momentary ones iseffected by the described arrangement comprising contacts 33--32-31 (or23-22-21) associated with each pair of circuits; this arrangementcomprises a means for.

open-circuiting each circuit (or magnet) upon closing (or energizing)thereof until closing (or energizing) of the other circuit (or magnet)of the pair-the term open-circuiting being of course used to denote notonly the initial opening, but also the maintenance in an open condition,of the circuit (or magnet) Power is supplied through line switch 1| toconductors .50 'and 5|, line conductor 50 being connected to conductor4|, which -in turn is connected to contacts 3 and I3.

With the apparatus in the position shown, the circuit extends from thesource of power through line conductor 50 and conductor 4| to contact 3,

to contact 4, through conductor 45, through s ignal switch 46, whichwill be described later, and through the dictators signal lamp 41 thencethrough line conductor to the source of power.

The dictators lamp 41 is arranged in a mannerY which Will be moreparticularly described hereinafter so as to be energized when eitherphonograph is in position to record. Should both Aphonographs be out ofrecording position the circuit through lamp 41 will be opened andconsequently the said lamp will, not be energized.

As the sound box 1 approaches the end of the record projection 9 engagescontact 3 and, as already stated, separates contacts 3, 4, 5 and 6, andbrings contact 3 into engagement with contact 2, thereby applying powerto contact 2 and energizing the start magnet 3| of phonograph B throughconductor 42, contact l5, contact I6 and conductor 52, through coil 3|,thence to contact 33, to contact 31, through conductor 6| to lineconductor 5| (or in other words closing the starting circuit ofvphonograph B); this throws lever 36 to the right to start the mandrelof phonograph Bin rotation and simultaneously rotates contact 31 intoengagement with contact 32. Also, when contact 3 is brought intoengagement with contact 2 the operators warning lamp 43 is energized,indicating to the operator that the sound box of phonograph A hasreached or nearly reached the end of its travel and that the record onphonograph A is lled or nearly filled. Further movement of the sound box1 causes closure of contacts l and 2, thereby applying power to stopcoil 20 through conductor 54, contact 22, contact 21, conductor 60, tolline conductor 5| (or in other words closing the stopping circuit ofphonograph A) this automatically opens that stopping circuit, preparesthe starting circuit through magnet 2|, and moves lever 26 to the leftto declutch the mandrel of phonograph A from the driving motor. 'I'hemandrel of phonograph B is now rotating -and the sound box |1 istravelling over the record, whereasthe mandrel of phonograph A hasstopped with the sound box at the end of the completed record Theoperator then replaces the completed record on phonograph A with a freshrecord and returns the sound box 1 to starting position. When this isdone, contact 3 returns to normal position, opening contacts |-2 and 23. The opening of contacts |2 produces no eiect because the phonographAv stopping circuit 'through stop magnet 20 has already been opened bymovement of contact 21. The opening of contacts 2-3 produces no effecton start magnet 3| of phonograph B because the phonograph B startingcircuit through coil 3| has already been opened at contact 31, but theopening of contacts 2 and 3 cle-energizes the operators warning lamp 43.

As the sound box |1 of phonograph B approaches the end of its travelcontaets-|3-|4, and |5|6 are opened. The opening of contacts |5|6produces no effect because the phonograph B starting circuit throughcoil 3| is already opened at contact 31, likewise the opening ofcontacts |3|4 produces no effect except to open the circuit from contact4 through conductor 48, signal switch 49 and-dictators lamp 41 which,however, is still energized through another circuit from contact 3,contact 4, conductor 45, signal switch` 4B, through lamp'41. Whencontact I3 is closed against contact I2, power is applied to contact |2thereby energizing operators warning lamp 44 through conductor 4|) andalso applying power through contact 5 to contact 6, conductor 55 throughcoil 2| for in other words closing the phonograph A starting circuit),thereby operating the clutch control to set the mandrel on phonograph Ain rotation again. Further rotation of the mandrel on phonograph Bcloses contact l2 against contact thereby applying power through confover the fresh record whereupon contacts ll-ll areopened as are contactsII-il and contacts ductor Il, stop coil 30, contact 32 and contact 31and conductor il (or in other words closing the phonograph Bl stoppingcircuit) to stop the rotation of the mandrel of phonograph B. Theoperator, observing that the lamp Il is now lighted, changes the recordon phonograph B and returns the sound box I1 to initial podtion iS-Il,and IB-IS are closed.

'I'he openingof contacts Ii-l2 produces no I effect because thephonograph B stopping circuit contact Il supplies power'throughconductor l! and signal switch 49 through dictators lamp I1 which,however, is already energized as previously described. Closure ofcontacts Il and II produces no effect because contact Il is now dead andwill remain so until power is applied to'it by the engagement ofcontacts 2 and l on phonographl A.

Thus, it will be seen that the system has described a complete cycleinvolving the starting of phonograph A, the starting of phonograph Bwhen the record onV phonograph A is nearly hlled, the stopping of.phonograph A shortly thereafter, the starting of phonograph A for thesecond time, with a new record when the record on phonograph B is nearlyfilled and shortly thereafter vthe stopping of phonograph B. It will benoted that each phonograph is placed in operation shortly before thecompletion of the record on the other phonograph, whereby during a shortinterval the matter to be recorded lis recorded simultaneously upon theend of one record and the beginning of the other and the sequence ofrecords may be determined.

It shouldbe noted that by the provision of contacts 5-6 -and -f-Il it isimpossible for 'either phonograph A or B to be started if the operatorhas neglected to change the record.

Each of these pairs of contacts forms a switch, included in the startingcircuit o! the respective phonograph in series with the main switch forthat circuit (2--I or |2-I3, carried by the opposite phonograph), andnormally closed, but opened when the 4sound box of that phonograph is ator adjacent the end ofnits travel and at least as soon as the respectivecontacts I-I-I or Il-iI-Ii are closed; each pair when openobviouslyforms a means for blocking actuation of the starting means of therespective 'phonograph. Together the contact pairs l-I and lI-Ii formmeans interlocking the circuits of the two phonographs. If suchinterlocking means were not provided, tint is to say,.ii' the startcoil'i wereccnnected directly to contactLtheclosureotelthercontactsandlori! and I3 under such conditions wouldcontinuously maintainpoweroncontacts l, ll,2and Iland would result in acontinuous start-stop chatter oftheclutch controlsofbothos' start-stoposcillation oi both phonographs.

. It will be noted that'the dictator's lamp l1 is energized througheither of two circuits in parallel already described. so that wheneither phonographisinpositicn torecord.thedicta'tor'slamp l1 is lighted.l

Itwiilbenotedthateachofthetwoparallel circuits for energizing thedictator's lamp I1 mandrel type, it will be apparent that theymaycomprises two switches in series, one switch being formed by thecontacts 3 4 or IS-M of the respective multiple contact switch and theother being formed by the signal switch I! or It. The precise form ofthe signal switch forms per 5 se no part of this invention and istherefore not described in detail. It will be understood, however, .thatthe signal switches and 4l may be of any desired form or constructionand are suitably arranged so as to be closed only when the sound box orrecorder is over the record in position to record. While I havedescribed my invention as applied to a pair of recordingphonographs ofthe l5 be applied to other types o'f phonographs whether used forrecording or reproducing.

' In case the recording is carried on electrically by means of amicrophone either with or without the use of anampliiier, an additionalsignal switch may be provided if desired in series with lamp Il which isarranged to be closed only when the microphone or amplifier or both areenersized.'

' The amount ot. overlap, that is to say, the'25 amount of materialwhich is recorded on both records simultaneously, depends upon thespacing between contacts i and 2, and Ii and I2, it being understoodthat the greater the distance between these contacts, the greater willbe the 30 time interval intervening between the start of the machine,which is operating upon a fresh record, and the stopping of a machinewhich is Just completing a record.

In order to start the system, starting switch 10 may be provided in theform of a double pole, single throw non-locking key, one contact beingconnected to conductor, and the other to conductor 42, while the otherside of the switch is connected to line conductor Il. A series line`switch 1i may also be provided,if desired.

In order to start the system for continuous operation, one sound box isleft at the end of its traveLandoneisplaced atthebeginningofits travel,for instance, the sound box of phonograph A. If key 1I is depressed,phonograph A will be started and when its record is full, phonographBwillbestartedandsoon,aslongastherecords are changed and the sound boxesrestored toinitlal position. A

It may sometimes be desired to make duplicaterecords,andifthisisdesired.itisonlynecessary to set both sound boxes atthe beginning of'their records. Closure of switch Il then applies linevonage to been stu-ung was 2| and si, causing 55 both phonographs tooperate simultaneously. 0f course, both phonographs will be stopped whenthey reach the end of their records.

Itwillbeunderstoodthatalthnushlhave-shownonlytwophonographsassociatedforsew quential or simultaneousoperation. my invention is not limited thereto, and it will be.understood that three, tour or even more phonographs may'beoperatedinaceordancewiththe teachma of um invention, contacts being 'provided on65 understood that modifications and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope cf my invention as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. In a phonograph system, in combination, a pair of' phonographscomprising a stylus movable transversely of a record, means forautomatically initiating operation of the other phonograph when eitherphonograph approaches the end of its record, a dictators vready signal,and a pair of parallel circuits for causing energization of said signal,each circuit comprising a pair of contacts closed whenthe stylus isengaged with the record, and a second pair of contacts in series withsaid first pair and arranged to be opened when the stylus has approachedthe end of its travel on the record.

2. In a phonographic system, in combination, a pair of phonographs,motive means for driving said phonographs, clutches for operativelyconnecting said phonographs to said motive means,

and circuits for operating said clutches electrical- -ly, said circuitscomprising a switch having at least two positions in one of which thesaid clutches are automatically operated sequentially and in the otherof which the clutches are automatically operated simultaneously.

3. In a phonographic system, in combination, a plurality of phonographseach having a sound box carriage movable relative to a record, motivemeans for driving said phonographs, clutches inpterposed between saidmotive means'and said phonographs, electrical means for controlling theoperation of said clutches, saidmeans comprising electrical contacts oneach phonograph, said contacts being operable by the carriage of eachphonograph to sequentially actuate the clutches of at least two of saidphonographs.

4. In a phonographic system, in combination,

' a plurality of phonographs each having a sound box carriagemovable'relative to a record, a motor for driving said phonographs,clutches interposed between said motor and said phonographs, electricalmeans for controlling the operation of said clutches, said meanscomprising contacts on each phonograph for controlling the operation ofthe clutch of another phonograph, and contacts on. each machine forcontrolling the operation of its own clutch, all of said contacts ofeach phonograph being actuated by the respective carriage in itsmovement.

5. In a phonographic system.- in combination, a pair of phonographs eachincluding a sound box element adapted for-progressive movement relativelto a record element between initial and terminal limits; and means forautomatically starting said movement in either phonograph and stoppingsaid movement in the other, while permitting subsequent restoration ofsaid elements in the latter to ytheir initial limit without interferingwith the so-started movement, comprising, in association with eachphonograph, switches operatively responsive to approach of said elementsto their terminal limit, starting and stopping magnets adapted to beenergized respectively by operation of a rst said switch on the oppositephonograph and by operation of the second said switch on the respectivephonograph, and a two-position member controlling said movement andresponsive to the magnet last energized.

6. The combination claimed in claim 5, further including in associationwith each phonograph means operative upon energization of each magnetthereof for open-circuiting the same until the other magnet thereof isenergized.

7. In a phonographic system, in combination, a plurality of phonographseach including a sound f box element adapted for progressive movementrelative to a record element; an individual system associated with eachphonograph comprising starting and stopping magnets, and' a twopositionmember controlling said movement and responsive to the magnet lastenergized; and magnet energizing means, comprising switches in each onephonograph, responsive to approach of said elements therein to arelative movement limit, for energizing the starting magnet of anotherof said phonographs and the stopping magnet of the one phonograph.

8. The combination claimed in claim 7, further including in each of saidsystems means operative upon energization of each magnet therein foropen-circuiting the same until the other magnet therein is energized.

9. In a phonographic system, in combination, a plurality of phon ographseach including a sound box element adapted for progressive movementrelative to a record element; an individual pair of magnets associatedwith each phonograph; magnet energizing means, comprising an individualgroup of contacts associated with each phonograph and responsive toapproach of said elements therein to a relative movement limit, eachsaid group controlling the energization of at least one said magnet ofeach of a plurality of said phonographs; and a two-position member foreach phonograph controlling said movement therein and responsive to thelast energized of said magnets thereof.

10. 'Ihe combination claimed in claim 9, further including inassociation with each phonograph means operative upon energization ofeach magnet thereof for open-circuiting the same until the other magnetthereof is energized.

11. In a phonographic system, in combination, a plurality of phonographseach including a sound box element adapted for progressive movementrelative to a record element; an individual pair of magnets associatedwith each phonograph; magnet energizing means, comprising contactsassociated with each phonograph and responsive to approach of saidelements therein to a relative movement limit, the energization of atleast one said magnet of each one phonograph being controlled by saidcontacts of a plurality of the phonographs; and a two-position memberforv each phonograph controlling said movement therein and responsive tothe last energized of said magnets thereof.

12. The combination claimed in claim 11, further including inassociation with each phonograph means operative upon energization ofeach magnet thereof for open-circuiting the same until the other magnetthereof is energized.

13. The combination claimed in claim '7, further including in each onephonograph means, responsive to adjacency of said elements to said limittherein and operative at least as soon as both said switches therein,for open-circuiting the starting magnet thereof.

14. In combination, a plurality of phonographs each having a sound boxelement adapted for progressive movement relative to a record element;an individual system associated with each phonograph comprising meansresponsive to momentary actuation for starting said movement, and meansoperative as a limit of said movement is approached for stopping saidmovement; and means associated with eachA one phonograph, operative whensaid elements therein are adjacent said limit and at least as soon assaid stopping means, for blocking actuation of the starting means of theone phonograph and actuating the starting means of another of saidphonographs.

15. In a phonograph system, in combination, a sound box element andmeans for producing progressive movement thereof relative to a recordelement; means responsive to momentary actuation for starting saidmovement; means operative as a limit of said movement is approached forstopping said movement; and means, responsive to adjacency of saidelements to said limit and operative at least as soon as said stoppingmeans, for blocking actuation of said starting means.

16. In combination, a plurality of phonographsl each having a sound boxelement adapted for progressive movement relative to a record element;an individual movement control system associated with each phonographcomprising an electrical circuit adapted upon momentary closing to startsaid movement, and means operative as a limit of said movement isapproached for stopping said movement; and contacts associated with eachone phonograph, responsive to adjacency of said elements therein to saidlimit and operative at least as soon as said stopping means, foropencircuiting the starting circuit of the one phonograph and closingthe starting circuit of another 18. In combination, a plurality ofphcnographs each having a sound box element adapted for progressivemovement relative to a record element:

an individual movement control system associated element; a movementcontrol system comprising two electrical circuits respectively adaptedupon momentary closing to start and to stop said movement; and contactsresponsive to approach of said elements to a limit of said movement, forclosing said stopping circuit while open-circuiting said startingcircuit.

20. The combination claimed in claim 19, further including in eachcontrol system means operative upon closing of each circuit therein foropen-circuiting the same until the other circuit therein is closed.

21. In combination. a; plurality of phonographs each having a sound boxelement adapted for progressive movement relative't a record element; anindividual movement control'isystem associated with each phonographcomprising two electrical circuits respectively adapted upon momentaryclosing tostart and to stop said movement there- A in; contactsassociated with each one phonograph and operative as a limit of saidmovement therein is approached, for closing the starting circuit ofanother of said phonographs and the stopping circuit of the onephonograph; and means, interlocking the circuits of a plurality of saidphonographs, for preventing start-stop oscillation.

CHARLES HUENLICH.

cERTIFIcATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No.'-2,o42,22s. my se, 193e.

HUENLICH.

It' is hereby certified that error' appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5',secondcolumn. linev 25, claim 20, for "19' read 1 8; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction thereinvthat the samemay conform to the record of .the case". in the Patent Office.v

' Signed and sealed this 29th day of September, A. D. .1956.

f p Henry van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner ,of Patents.

